ALINORM 04/27/30

JOINT FAO/WHO FOOD STANDARDS PROGRAMME

CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION

Twenty-seventh Session

Geneva, Switzerland, 28 June – 2 July 2004

REPORT OF THE TWELTH SESSION OF THE CODEX COMMITTEE ON

FOOD IMPORT AND EXPORT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS

Brisbane, Australia, 1 – 5 December 2003

Note: This report includes Codex Circular Letter CL 2003/44-FICS

ii

CL 2003/44-FICS

December 2003

To: Codex Contact Points Interested International Organizations

From: Secretary, Codex Alimentarius Commission, Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme Viale delle Terme di Caracalla

00100 Rome, Italy

Subject: Distribution of the Report of the Twelfth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (ALINORM 04/27/30)

The report of the Twelfth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems will be considered by the 27th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Geneva, Switzerland, 28 June – 2 July 2004).

MATTERS FOR ADOPTION BY THE 27TH SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION

Proposed Draft Revised Principles and Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Control Emergency Situations, advanced to Steps 5/8 of the Codex Procedure, with the omission of Step 6 and 7 (ALINORM 04/27/30, Appendix II). See also para. 61 and Appendix II of this report

Governments and interested international organizations are invited to comment on the above document and should do so in conformity with the Uniform Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex Standards and Related Texts and the Guide to the Consideration of Standards at Step 8 of the Procedure for the Elaboration of Codex Standards including Consideration of any Statements relating to Economic Impact (see Codex Alimentarius Procedural Manual). Comments should be forwarded to the Secretary, Codex Alimentarius Commission, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy (fax +39 06 57054593; e-mail codex@fao.org), not later than 30 April 2004.

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Contents

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................... page v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................... page vii REPORT OF THE 12TH SESSION OF THE CODEX COMMITTEE ON FOOD IMPORT AND EXPORT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS ................................................. page 1 SUMMARY STATUS OF WORK .............................................................................................. page 14

Paragraph

OPENING OF THE SESSION ................................................................................................ 1 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (Agenda Item 1) ................................................................. 2 - 4 MATTERS REFERRED FROM THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION AND OTHER CODEX COMMITTEES (Agenda Item 2) ....................................................... 5 - 16 Risk Analysis ........................................................................................................ 7

Decision of the Commission concerning the work of the Committee ................. 8 - 9 Use of Analytical Results .................................................................................... 10 - 12 Elaboration of Model Export Certificate by Commodity Committees ................ 13 ISO Standard 22000 – Food Safety Management System (Requirements) ........... 14 - 16 PROPOSED DRAFT REVISION OF THE CODEX GUIDELINES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN FOOD CONTROL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS (Agenda Item 3) ......... 17 - 61 General Comments ………................................................................................... 18 - 19 Specific Comments ............................................................................................ 20 - 60 DISCUSSION PAPER ON TRACEABILITY/PRODUCT TRACING IN THE CONTEXT OF FOOD IMPORT AND EXPORT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS (Agenda Item 4) …. 62 - 74 DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE JUDGEMENT OF THE EQUIVALENCE OF TECHNICAL MEASURES ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS (Agenda Item 5) …………………………………………….. 75 - 80 OTHER BUSINESS AND FUTURE WORK (Agenda Item 6).................................................. 81 – 93 Other Business ……………………………………………………….................. 81 Future Work ……………….................................................................................. 82 - 93 DATE AND PLACE OF NEXT SESSION (Agenda Item 7) ................................................... 94 Appendix I : List of Participants ................................................................................ page 15 Appendix II : Proposed Draft Revised Principles and Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Control Emergency Situations (Advanced to Steps 5/8 of the Codex Procedure) ………...................... page 33

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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The Twelfth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems reached the following conclusions:

Matters for Adoption of the 27th Session of the Commission

The Committee:

• agreed to advance the proposed draft revised Principles and Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Safety Control Emergency Situations to Steps 5/8 (with the omission of Steps 6 and 7) for final adoption by the 27th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (para. 61, Appendix II);

• decided not to pursue work on the judgement of equivalence of technical regulations associated with food inspections and certification systems and to inform the Codex Alimentarius Commission accordingly (para. 80);

• agreed to request the Commission to initiate work on: Proposed draft Appendices to the Guidelines on the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection and Certification Systems; Proposed draft Principles for Electronic Certification; and, Proposed draft Guidelines for Risk-based Inspection of Imported Foods (para. 88).

Matters of Interest to the 27th Session of the Commission

The Committee:

• noted the requests arising from the 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission that “relevant Codex committees develop or complete specific guidelines on risk analysis in their respective areas” (ALINORM 03/41, para. 147) and decided that it did not need to prepare specific guidelines for risk analysis to carry out its work (para. 7);

• agreed to continue its discussion on traceability/product tracing in the context of food inspection and certification systems at its next meeting (paras. 72-74);

• recommended to leave the reference to the “development of guidelines on the judgement of equivalence for specific purposes such as equivalence of measures to ensure food hygiene or measures to ensure conformity with essential quality requirements” in the draft Medium-Term Plan 2003-2007 (para. 88);

• agreed to prepare discussion papers for its 13th Session of the Committee on: Revision of the Guidelines for the Exchange of Information Between Countries on Rejections of Imported Foods; Revision of the Guidelines for Generic Official Certificate Formats and the Production and Issuance of Certificates ; Clarification of the Reference “a reasonable interval” in the Guidelines for Food Import Control Systems (para. 88);

• noted the requests arising from the 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (ALINORM 03/41, paras. 61 and 65) and agreed that at its next meeting will consider a Discussion Paper on Clarification of the Reference “a reasonable interval” in the Guidelines for Food Import Control System; and that the proposed draft Appendices to the Guidelines on the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection would also address the further elaboration of guidelines to facilitate their implementation to the control of food trade (paras. 90 and 92).

Matters of Interest to Other Committees

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

• Following the request of the CCMAS, the Committee encouraged the CCMAS to continue to work on the use of analytical results in a more general way with a view to advising Codex commodity committees and governments about matters related to methods of analysis and sampling and the development and enforcement of Codex commodity standards (para. 12).

Codex Committees on Milk and Milk Products and on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

• The Committee noted the ongoing work on model export certificate in other Codex Committees and encouraged delegates attending the meeting to liaise with their colleagues working in these Committees in order to ensure consistency with the general texts elaborated by CCFICS (para. 13).

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Codex Committees on General Principles

• The Committee agreed to continue its discussion on traceability/product tracing in the context of food inspection and certification systems at its next meeting. It was agreed that the Australian Secretariat would prepare a document containing a preliminary set of “principles on traceability/product tracing”, based on the discussion that has occurred over the past two years in the Regional Coordinating Committees, and this document will be circulated for comment through a Circular Letter to all Member countries and international organizations with observer status in Codex. Furthermore, the Committee agreed that the Australian Secretariat would prepare a discussion paper, based on the above document, together with the comments received, the outputs and recommendations from seminars and workshops (as appropriate), discussions in the Codex Committee on General Principles and other relevant Codex Committees and Regional Coordinating Committees, and other relevant documents, for circulation and discussion at its next meeting (paras. 72-74).

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS REPORT

CAC/GL Codex Alimentarius Commission / Guidelines CCFICS Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems CCFFP Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products CCFFV Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables CCMAS Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling CCMMP Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products CL Circular Letter CRD Conference Room Document EC European Community FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point ISO International Organization for Standardization OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO Committee) TBT Technical Barrier to Trade (WTO Committee) WHO World Health Organization WTO World Trade Organization

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REPORT OF THE 12th SESSION OF THE CODEX COMMITTEE ON FOOD IMPORT AND EXPORT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS

OPENING OF THE SESSION

1. The Twelfth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems was held in Brisbane, Australia from 1-5 December 2003 at the kind invitation of the Government of Australia. The Session was chaired by Mr. Gregory Read, Executive Manager, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Australian Government, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Session was attended by 149 participants from 38 Member countries, 1 regional economic integration organization1 and 12 international organizations. A complete List of Participants is attached as Appendix I.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (Agenda Item 1)2

2. The Committee noted that no written proposals had been received for amendments or revision to the Provisional Agenda and therefore, it adopted the Provisional Agenda as its Agenda for the Session.

3. However, the Committee agreed to discuss proposals for new work submitted by Members and Observers as well as those arising from the 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission under Agenda Item 6 “Other Business and Future Work”.

4. The Committee also agreed that an information paper prepared by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Agricultural Codes and Schemes for International Trade would be presented under Agenda Item 6.

MATTERS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION AND OTHER CODEX COMMITTEES (Agenda Item 2)3

5. The Committee noted matters arising from the 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Rome, 30 June – 7 July 2003) regarding the Amendments to the Procedural Manual, the Joint FAO/WHO Evaluation of the Codex Alimentarius and Other FAO and WHO Work on Food Standards, the FAO/WHO Trust Fund for Participation of Developing Countries in Codex Standards Setting Procedure and the work on traceability/product tracing in other Codex committees.

6. In particular, the Committee commented and/or made decisions on the following matters:

Risk Analysis

7. The Committee took note of the request of the Codex Alimentarius Commission that “relevant Codex committees develop or complete specific guidelines on risk analysis in their respective areas, for inclusion in the Procedural Manual, as recommended in the Action Plan adopted by the 22nd Session of the Commission (Geneva, June 1997)”4. In this regard, the Committee noted that the work of CCFICS did not relate to the development of specific measures within food control system but to the elaboration of general texts about food inspection and certification systems which might incorporate the notion of risk analysis therefore it did not need to prepare specific guidelines for risk analysis to carry out its work. It was also noted that matters related to risk analysis were adequately covered by other Codex fora.

Decisions of the Codex Alimentarius Commission concerning the work of the Committee

8. The Committee was informed that the 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted the draft Guidelines for Food Import Control System and the draft Guidelines for the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection and Certification Systems at Step 8. The Commission also approved the recommendation of the Committee to discontinue work on the elaboration of Guidelines for the Utilization and Promotion of Quality Assurance Systems to meet Requirements in relation to Food.

1 CRD 6 (EC Annotated Agenda for the 12th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export

Inspection and Certification Systems). 2 CX/FICS 03/1. 3 CX/FICS 03/2; CX/FICS 03/2-Add.1; and, CRD 3 (updating on ISO activities). 4 ALINORM 03/41, para. 147.

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9. The Committee agreed that the request of the Commission to consider the development of an interpretation of the meaning of “a reasonable interval” in the Guidelines for Food Import Control System, and the further elaboration of the Guidelines for the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection and Certification Systems to facilitate their implementation to the control of food trade would be considered under Agenda Item 6 “Other Business and Future Work” (see also para.88).

Use of Analytical Results

10. The Committee acknowledged the request of the 24th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (Budapest, November 2002) to provide advice insofar as inspection issues were involved in the use of analytical results. The Committee noted that the paper recommended that when a Codex commodity committee agreed to a commodity specification, it should state information on sampling, measurement of uncertainty and recovery factors.

11. A number of delegations were of the view that these recommendations should be clearly expressed to be of use to commodity committees and should be clearly related to conformity assessment of product (e.g. sampling plans used for the determination of lot acceptance). In addition, measurement of uncertainty should be allowed in sampling under certain circumstances. Many delegations, however, questioned the practicability of developing such advice on a commodity by commodity basis and noted that it might be useful for CCMAS to provide clear guidance to Codex committees and governments in a more general way. These delegations felt that it would be useful for CCMAS to develop an overarching document to clearly explain the relationship between measurement of uncertainty and other issues that affected the use of analytical results, such as bias, in conformity assessment. Other delegations highlighted the importance of the relationship between sampling methods, analytical results, measurement of uncertainty and recovery factors in accepting/rejecting lots of foods with the subsequent problems in the food trade.

12. The Committee agreed on the importance of the document in the development of Codex specifications and its relationship with the sampling procedures, interpretation of analytical results, and compliance/rejection of lots of products. It encouraged the CCMAS to continue to work on this issue in a more general way with a view to advising Codex commodity committees and governments about matters related to methods of analysis and sampling and the development and enforcement of Codex commodity standards.

Elaboration of Model Export Certificates by Commodity Committees

13. The Committee noted the ongoing work in this regard in the Codex Committees on Milk and Milk Products, on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, and on Fish and Fishery Products. The Committee encouraged delegates attending the meeting to liaise with their colleagues working in these Committees in order to ensure consistency with the general texts elaborated by CCFICS.

ISO Standard 22000 – Food Safety Management System – Requirements

14. The Committee noted that this matter was presented for information only and therefore, it did not need to take any action in this regard.

15. Some delegations questioned the inclusion of this document on the Agenda as they were of the view that it might create confusion between the ISO and Codex activities in the field of quality assurance/conformity assessment procedures and food inspection and certification systems. These delegations indicated that ISO standards were more oriented to the private sector (e.g. industry and other commercial entities) while Codex texts were directed to government agencies (e.g. national food control authorities). It was noted that the Committee had discontinued work on specific Guidelines relating to the assessment and recognition of quality assurance systems as the food hygiene texts, including HACCP, available in Codex, provided adequate guidance to ensure the safety of food products while relevant Codex texts developed by CCFICS provided adequate guidance on quality assurance and thus, there was not such a gap in international trade to deliver a food safety management system standard as indicated in the document. It was also noted that the Codex Alimentarius Commission was the food safety international setting standard organization referenced in the WTO/SPS Agreement.

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16. Other delegations favoured the presentation of this document as it aligned with the objectives of the Codex Alimentarius Commission to promote coordination of all food standards work undertaken by other international governmental and non-governmental organizations.5 These delegations noted that this would avoid duplication of work between Codex and other international standardization organizations such as ISO. In this regard, it was also noted that the ISO food safety management system standard would incorporate the Codex HACCP system and therefore there was a need to ensure consistency between Codex and the ISO approach in this respect. It was further noted that the development of such a standard was to provide a certifiable food safety standard that incorporated the implementation of HACCP for commercial purposes in international trade.

PROPOSED DRAFT REVISION TO THE CODEX GUIDELINES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN FOOD CONTROL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS (Agenda Item 3)6

17. The 11th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems agreed to return the proposed draft revision of the Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Control Emergency Situations to Step 2 for revision by a drafting group led by Australia. The Committee agreed that the text would be revised on the basis of its discussion, definition and principles; the initial mandate given at the 9th CCFICS; the current Guidelines (CAC/GL 19-1995) and other Codex guidelines and texts as appropriate. It was agreed that the revised document would be circulated for comment at Step 3 and further consideration at its next meeting.

GENERAL COMMENTS

18. The Committee thanked the drafting group for its valuable work, which provided a good basis for discussion and generally agreed to consider its advancement in the Codex Step Procedure. It was suggested, however, that the document as currently drafted still needed some improvements such as: to make the text clearer and more concise in order to facilitate its use and understanding and to assist countries with controversial issues in food safety emergency situations; to better clarify the identity of a food emergency situation in the Preamble and Scope; to differentiate food emergency situations from routine food rejection due to compliance failure; to clarify the responsibility and distinctive role of importing and exporting countries in informing the affected partners and dealing with available information; to improve the clarity of the principles by adding examples; to highlight that decisions in food emergencies should be based on scientific justification; and, to make the text more consistent with Codex wording.

19. The Committee was informed of the WHO Food Safety Emergency Contacts project, which had established and was maintaining a list of Food Safety Emergency Contacts, identified through the WHO Regional Offices and country representations. In its next phase, the WHO project would develop procedures for the management of the information shared in the network and evaluate the system.

SPECIFIC COMMENTS

20. The Committee discussed the document section by section and agreed to the following changes:

Preamble

Paragraph 1

21. The Committee agreed that the first objective for the exchange of information in food safety emergency situations was to minimize potential adverse public health effects. In noting that the proposal to revise the Guidelines arose from the disastrous economic repercussions of the dioxin crisis in European countries, the Committee agreed to add a second sentence to reflect that the secondary objectives of the Guidelines was to avoid unwarranted action against other food from the same or other countries, which were not involved in the food safety emergency situation.

22. The second sentence was amended to clarify that communication should be at the appropriate government level.

5 Article 1(b) of the Statutes of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Procedural Manual, 13th Edition. 6 CX/FICS 03/3 and comments submitted by Argentina, Canada, Iran, Mexico, New Zealand, United States,

European Community (CX/FICS 03/3-Add. 1), Indonesia (CRD 2), and the Philippines (CRD9).

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23. The Committee agreed that specific aspects of communication exchange, such as the nature and the extent of the hazard detected and the causal effect between the consumption of a food and the appearance of the serious effects, should be addressed in other sections of the document.

Paragraph 2

24. In recognition of the decision of the 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission concerning the membership of Regional Economic Integration Organizations, the Committee removed the square brackets, while retaining the text, from the first sentence. It deleted the second sentence as inappropriate.

Scope

Paragraph 3

25. The Committee amended the beginning of the paragraph to read “Principles and Guidelines” for consistency with the name and the content of the document and agreed to amend the remaining text accordingly. It added “in either the importing and/or exporting countries” to better reflect their role in food safety emergency situations.

Paragraph 4

26. The Committee added “radiological” to the examples of food safety hazards listed in parentheses to promote consistency with the examples in the Annex. It replaced “association has been established” with “relevant scientific information suggests a link” to clarify the text. The Committee agreed that the amended sentence allowed enough scope for taking adequate action in situations where the food safety hazards had not yet been identified.

Paragraph 5

27. The Committee added a footnote at the end of the paragraph to refer to Section 4.3.1 “Special conditions applicable to emergency situations” of the draft Codex Code on Good Animal Feeding.

Definitions

Paragraph 7

28. In recognizing that the Codex definition of risk7 already included the concept of threat, the Committee deleted the term throughout the text.

29. The Committee agreed that the three main elements of a food safety emergency were: the seriousness of the risk; the possibility that the situation could deteriorate; and, the need to take urgent action. It therefore concurred to capture these concepts in one single sentence.

Principles

Paragraph 8

30. The Committee noted that the purpose of the principles was to give a clear and concise message and that narrative for each principle was included in the subsequent sections of the document.

31. The Committee amended:

• principle (a), to acknowledge that some countries had more than one competent authority dealing with different aspects of a food safety emergency;

• principle (b), to clarify that the exchange of information should be between official contact points, which should be designated by the competent authorities;

• principle (c), to reflect that there should be a simultaneous set of actions taken in both importing and exporting countries to inform “all known affected and potentially affected countries”. The term “trading partners” was deleted as it could also include commercial entities.

• principle (d), to include a reference to risk communication at the end of the principle as it is a process that follows a risk management decision. It further specified that competent authorities detecting a food safety emergency should share relevant information.

7 A function of the probability that an adverse health effect and the severity of that effect, consequential to a

hazard(s) in food - Codex Procedural Manual, 13th Edition.

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• principle (e), to allow for more flexibility as developing countries might face difficulties in providing information to other countries (e.g. mounting a media campaign). Therefore, the Committee agreed that information should be communicated to relevant stakeholders to the extent possible.

• principle (f), to make it more concise, as the objective of enabling countries to reassess their risk was already included in the corresponding section (paragraph 20 of the document).

Nature of the Food Safety Emergency

Paragraph 9

32. The Committee clarified the paragraph to better reflect that the exchange of information between countries be ensured from the early stages of a food safety emergency, and that in circumstances where the specific food hazard has not been precisely identified, information be provided on causative links between the consumption of a food and the appearance of serious adverse public health effects.

33. The second sentence was deleted on the understanding that the concept of “source of contamination causing the food safety hazards” was retained in the first sentence by the terms “including its scientific basis” and as examples of food safety hazards were already included in the “Scope”.

Official Contact Points for Information Exchange

34. The Committee amended the heading of the section to include “designated” in accordance with principle (b). It improved the logical flow of the section by changing the order of the two paragraphs.

Paragraph 11

35. The Committee made several editorial changes to improve the readability of the paragraph.

Paragraph 12

36. The Committee recognised that although it would be ideal to have a single contact point per country, this requirement was too restrictive and unrealistic. In the interest of ensuring quick and effective information flow, the Committee agreed that a country should identify a Primary Official Contact Point, which could act as a national focal point for information exchange with other countries, without precluding countries to designate other official contact points according to their need to exchange information within the country. To reflect the above, the Committee inserted paragraph 5 of the “Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Emergency Situations” at the beginning of this paragraph.

37. The Committee accepted the offer of the World Health Organization (WHO) to keep an up-to-date list of primary official contact points and inserted its name, while deleting the text in square brackets, the square brackets and the footnote. The Committee noted that the revision of the International Health Regulations (IHR) was not yet concluded and that some aspects of food safety emergency might be included in the IHR notification system.

Informing Potentially Affected Trading Partners

38. The Committee amended the heading of the section to align it with principle (c).

Paragraph 13

39. The Committee modified the paragraph to highlight the need for the country, where the food safety emergency occurred, to cooperate with other competent authorities to inform all potentially affected countries.

40. The delegation of the European Community suggested that the paragraph should contain a reference to a system of identification of the origin and destination of foods. Such a traceability/product tracing system would enable countries in which an emergency situation arose to provide all the information necessary to allow countries of origin and destination to be informed as rapidly and precisely as possible. The delegation of the European Community proposed to insert the following sentence in square brackets: “A traceability/product tracing system should help the competent authority to trace back the origin and trace forward the destination of the contaminated food or ingredients” pending the agreement on the concept of traceability/product tracing.

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41. While some delegations supported this proposal, others were of the opinion that the reference to such a system would not contribute to the clarity of the paragraph that covered the elements of information to be exchanged, and that the reference to a traceability/product tracing system could change the objectives of the text.

42. To allow the final adoption of the text and in a spirit of consensus, the delegation of the European Community agreed to withdraw the text in brackets. (see para. 61)

Paragraph 14

43. The Committee amended the paragraph to reflect that regular mail should only be used if necessary in a food safety emergency; however, it recognized that in certain countries regular mail was the only official way of communication.

Paragraph 15bis

44. The Committee added a paragraph to acknowledge the legal constraints that might apply to competent authorities with regard to the confidentiality of information.

Information to be Exchanged

Paragraph 16

45. The Committee amended the first sentence for consistency with its previous decision. It added point (f) relating to the contact details of the designated official contact point and relevant competent authority (see para. 36), as pertinent information to be exchanged. It was noted that the Annex contained more specific details of the information to be exchanged.

Role of Competent Authority

Paragraph 19

46. The Committee clarified the paragraph to highlight that risk assessment, risk management and risk communication decisions should be based on precise and verified information. It recognized that paragraph 21 related to this section and therefore agreed to insert this paragraph following paragraph 19.

Communication with Others

47. The Committee agreed to delete this Section, as it did not correspond to any principle.

Other Considerations for Information Exchange

Level of Food Distribution (paragraph 21)

48. A reference to transhipping was added in the third sentence to encompass this situation.

Re-Export of Food Subject to an Emergency Situation (paragraph 22)

49. The paragraph was amended to add the complete reference of the Code of Ethics for International Trade in Foods and to indicate in a footnote that a revision of the Code was under development in the Codex Committee on General Principles.

Rapid Alert System (paragraph 24)

50. The entire section was deleted, as the concept of a rapid alert system was not well understood by all countries.

Food Safety Emergency Action Plan (paragraph 25)

51. The heading of the section and the corresponding text were amended to “Food Safety Emergency Plan”. The Committee agreed to indicate in a footnote examples of texts that might assist countries to develop a food safety emergency plan.

Role of FAO and WHO (paragraph 26)

52. The Committee amended the paragraph to indicate that competent authorities should provide copies or a summary of relevant information, on request from the FAO, WHO and other international organizations.

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ANNEX - STANDARD FORMAT FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN FOOD SAFETY EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

53. The Committee amended the first sentence and substituted the second sentence with the definition of “Food Safety Emergency” to align the Annex with the Principles and Guidelines. The footnote was replaced with the same footnote as that contained in the Scope.

1. Nature of the Food Safety Emergency

54. The Committee considered that it was useful to maintain the list of examples in this section as it could assist countries in providing information on the nature of the food safety hazards. The Committee amended the first sentence to improve its clarity. It agreed to the following changes in the list of food safety hazards:

• to delete “toxic level of residues of” in the bullet point on chemical contamination for clarity.

• to add a new bullet point on physical contamination; accordingly, the example “foreign bodies” (under “other identified hazards”) was moved to the new bullet point.

55. The observer from Greenpeace asked that the list included examples of risks, which in his view could arise from genetically modified foods or ingredients, however, no amendment was made to the paragraph to this effect.

2. Identification of Food Concerned

56. The Committee amended the sentence to indicate that the food should be completely described. The Committee added “shelf life” in the first bullet point as it recognized that it could be useful information to describe certain types of food (e.g. donated food); it clarified that “chilled and frozen” were examples of conservation methods; and, it added “official name and mark” in the last bullet point due to the growing concern for false export certificates.

3. Affected Population Group(s)

57. The Committee recognised the importance of providing some information on adverse health effects and added a new paragraph to the section: The nature and extent of any adverse health affects associated with a food safety emergency should be described, e.g. incubation period, severity, other epidemiological data.

4. Shipping and Related Information

58. Port of origin and destination was added as useful information.

5. Action Taken by Exporting or Importing Country

59. The Committee added two other examples under this section: measures to reduce the risk by appropriate physical treatment; and methods of diagnosis and treatment of affected persons.

6. Competent Authority Contact Point(s) for Further Information

60. The Committee modified the paragraph to strengthen the concept of two-way information and to encourage the use of electronic communication where available.

Status of the proposed draft revision to the Codex Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Control Emergency Situation

61. The Committee noted that significant progress had been made in the consideration of the issues contained in the text. It therefore agreed to advance the proposed draft revised Guidelines and Principles for the Exchange of Information in Food Safety Emergency Situations to Step 5 of the Codex Procedure and recommended that the 27th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission omit Steps 6 and 7 and proceed to the final adoption of the Guidelines and Principles at Step 8 (see Appendix II).

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DISCUSSION PAPER ON TRACEABILITY/PRODUCT TRACING IN THE CONTEXT OF FOOD INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS (Agenda Item 4)8

62. The 11th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems decided to reconvene the Working Group on Traceability/Product tracing, under the chairmanship of Switzerland, in order to examine the adequacy and applicability of CCFICS texts with regard to traceability/product tracing and the need for further work in this area, to complete the mandate assigned by the 10th CCFICS.

63. The Committee requested the Working Group to prepare a discussion paper with a complete analysis of the issues involved for circulation, additional comments and further consideration at its next Session. It was reiterated that this review should analyze the appropriateness and need for CCFICS to develop specific guidance on the practical implementation of traceability/product tracing and on how the issue was to be progressed. It was also agreed that the Committee’s discussions on this issue would be forwarded to the Executive Committee and other Codex Committees for information and potential action.9

64. In introducing the discussion paper, the delegation of Switzerland informed the Committee that the discussion paper had been prepared at the 2nd meeting of the Working Group (Fribourg, Switzerland, 3-5 September 2003). At its meeting the Working Group took note of the discussion held within other Codex Committees and in particular Regional Coordinating Committees. It also noted that the 18th Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP) had decided to develop a definition for traceability/product tracing to be considered at its next meeting in May 2004.

65. The Working Group:

• recognized that traceability/product tracing was not an objective in itself but rather a tool, which may assist countries to demonstrate that imported and/or exported foods meet safety and/or quality requirements and that CCFICS could consider how to use the traceability/product tracing tool within food import and export inspection and certification systems;

• undertook a thorough analysis of 8 CCFICS texts based on the framework and on the elements of traceability/product tracing that had been approved by CCFICS at its 11th session;

• reached the conclusion that CCFICS texts do not provide a consistent set of principles on traceability/product tracing, although they sometimes reference individual elements of traceability/product tracing. It was concluded that the objectives of most of the examined texts would not be met more adequately if traceability/product tracing elements were included or strengthened;

• recognised that it would be helpful that workshops or seminars be organized to address the application, scope and coverage of traceability/product tracing among member countries;

• examined the appropriateness and needs for CCFICS to develop specific guidance on traceability/product tracing and decided to develop a broad set of options, which could be considered by the CCFICS as a possible way forward in the examination of traceability/product tracing within CCFICS.

66. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the Working Group for the comprehensive work, which provided a good basis for the discussion on this important subject. It recognized that CCFICS was an appropriate forum to continue discussion and develop guidance on traceability/product tracing within its mandate and that there was a clear need to exchange views as to the meaning of traceability/product tracing systems and their practical application.

8 CX/FICS 03/4 and comments submitted by Argentina, Canada, Mexico, United States, Consumers International,

EuropaBio, ILSI (CX/FICS 03/4-Add. 1), Indonesia (CRD 2), CropLife International (CRD5); Uruguay (CRD 7), Paraguay (CRD 8), the Philippines and India (CRD 10).

9 ALINORM 03/30A, para. 53.

ALINORM 04/27/30 9

67. The Committee emphasised the need to organise seminars and workshops to provide the opportunity for those countries with practical experience to exchange information with other countries on the types of systems in place, on their scope, application and coverage, to promote a better understanding of this subject. It considered that it was important that these meetings be organised on a regional and global basis with expertise from different regions, before the next CCFICS. The Committee agreed that these seminars were to be conducted in a cost effective manner and facilitate the participation of all Members. In this regard, it was noted that they could be organised in conjunction with the Second Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators (Bangkok, Thailand 10-12 November 2004) and/or with the next meetings of the Codex Regional Coordinating Committees, thus allowing wider participation, especially from developing countries.

68. The Committee noted that, subject to availability of funds, FAO and WHO would be ready to assist with these seminars, but indicated that assistance from Members would be required in terms of financial resources and expertise. In this regard, it was noted that countries expertise would be particularly important in the conduct of these seminars. It also observed that the Joint FAO/WHO Secretariat of the Second Global Forum of Food Safety Regulators was seeking papers to be submitted on the following themes: “Strengthening Official Food Control Services”, and “Epidemiological Surveillance of Foodborne Diseases and Food Safety Rapid Alert Systems” and both could be related to traceability/product tracing systems.

69. The Committee acknowledged that, although there was a broad understanding of the concept of traceability/product tracing, it was still confronted by the lack of a definition and clarity with regard to the scope and coverage of traceability/product tracing within the context of Codex. Some delegations expressed concerns as to the cost of implementing such systems especially for developing countries, while others emphasized the cost that might arise from not having a traceability/product tracing system in place.

70. The Committee agreed that existing CCFICS texts did not need to be re-opened with regard to traceability/product tracing.

71. Different opinions were expressed on the development of principles and/or guidelines and whether the principles should be a stand-alone document or serve for the further development of guidelines. Most delegations were in favour of CCFICS moving towards the development of principles for the application of traceability/product tracing systems, however they recognized the need for a clear understanding of the implications including costs. Other delegations were of the opinion that further work should be deferred pending the conclusion of the work on the definition in the Codex Committee on General Principles. It was noted that an initial discussion on principles had already taken place in the Regional Coordinating Committees that could be used as a starting point to progress work on this matter.

72. Therefore, the Committee agreed to continue its discussion on traceability/product tracing in the context of food inspection and certification systems at its next meeting. It was agreed that the Australian Secretariat would prepare a document containing a preliminary set of “principles on traceability/product tracing”, based on the discussion that has occurred over the past two years in the Regional Coordinating Committees, and this document would be circulated for comment through a Circular Letter to all Member countries and international organizations with observer status in Codex.

73. It was proposed that the above document could be used as a tool for information exchange and discussion at the proposed seminars as appropriate.

74. Furthermore, the Committee agreed that the Australian Secretariat would prepare a discussion paper, based on the above document, together with the comments received, the outputs and recommendations from seminars and workshops (as appropriate), discussions in the Codex Committee on General Principles and other relevant Codex Committees and Regional Coordinating Committees, and other relevant documents, for circulation and discussion at its next meeting.

ALINORM 04/27/30 10

DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE JUDGEMENT OF EQUIVALENCE OF TECHNICAL REGULATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS (Agenda Item 5)10

75. The 10th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems decided to defer the consideration of the proposed draft Guidelines on the Judgement of Equivalence of Technical Regulations Associated with Food Inspection and Certification Systems and to prepare a discussion paper to assist the Committee in assessing the need to continue to develop guidance in this area. The Committee decided that a drafting group led by Australia would prepare a discussion paper on the basis of the current text, the written comments submitted, and potential examples of problems in trade that were or could be solved through the application of equivalence and mutual recognition agreements. The Committee also decided to seek clarification from the WTO/TBT Committee, through the Codex Secretariat, on the operation of the TBT Agreement in relation to equivalence and mutual recognition agreements.11

76. The Delegation of Australia introduced the discussion paper highlighting that the document dealt separately with technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures and mutual recognition. It was noted that trade problems due to the application of technical regulations had been identified in Annexes 3 and 4 of the discussion paper. The Committee noted that the discussion paper might not attempt to analyse whether equivalence was or could have been applied as a mechanism to solve the trade problems identified. The paper also contained a summary of issues for discussion by the Committee in order to determine how to proceed further with this matter.

77. The Observer from the WTO/TBT Committee informed the Committee on the latest developments in relation to equivalence and mutual recognition agreements for the acceptance of conformity assessment results that had taken place at regular meetings of the WTO/TBT Committee and at the 2nd and 3rd Triennial Review on the Operation and Implementation of the TBT Agreement. The Observer noted that WTO Members hold different views on these issues, which led to the conclusion that further discussion was needed with regard to the implementation of Articles 2.7, 6.1 and 6.3 of the TBT Agreement. To this aim, the WTO/TBT Committee agreed to initiate a process of exchanging information and experiences on matters surrounding equivalence, conformity assessment procedures and mutual recognition agreements, with particular regard to the practical aspects of their implementation. The Observer also noted that the full text of the discussion on these matters was contained in the report of the 3rd Triennial Review on the Operation and Implementation of the TBT Agreement12.

78. The Committee had an exchange of views on the need to develop guidance in this area. The Delegation of Norway stressed the need for further clarification of the links between technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures associated with food import and export certification systems. The Delegation also stressed the need for CCFICS to develop guidance on equivalence of conformity assessment procedures relevant to technical regulations, taking into account the work of other international standardization organizations like ISO. It proposed that the Committee could continue to investigate this issue in parallel with the ongoing discussion in the WTO/TBT Committee.

79. Other delegations felt that the mandate of CCFICS dealt with the inspection and certification systems including the equivalence aspects of these systems, but not with the equivalence of technical regulations. Moreover, the need for CCFICS to engage in work on judgement of equivalence of technical regulations and conformity assessment systems was questioned as problems related to the implementation of equivalence in this area had not yet been identified. In addition, trade disputes or concerns invoking or relating to the TBT Agreement suggested that challenges resided more with the legitimacy of a TBT measure rather than with the determination of its equivalence with another country’s measure, therefore further guidance by CCFICS on judgement of equivalence of technical regulations would not seem to alleviate such disputes or concerns.

10 CX/FICS 03/5 and comments submitted by Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, United States and European

Community (CX/FICS 03/5-Add.1); Indonesia (CRD 2) and the Philippines (CRD 11). 11 ALINORM 03/30A, paras. 40-45. 12 G/TBT/13 paras. 12-14 and 38-40 (11 November 2003).

ALINORM 04/27/30 11

80. The Committee decided not to pursue work on the judgement of equivalence of technical regulations associated with food inspections and certification systems at the current time with the understanding that the Codex Alimentarius Commission or its Executive Committee would be informed accordingly. It also decided that it might come back on this issue at a future meeting in view of further developments on these matters. As a result of this decision, the Committee recommended to leave the reference to the “development of guidelines on the judgement of equivalence for specific purposes such as equivalence of measures to ensure food hygiene or measures to ensure conformity with essential quality requirements” in the draft Medium-Term Plan 2003-200713.

OTHER BUSINESS AND FUTURE WORK (Agenda Item 6)14

OTHER BUSINESS

81. The Observer of the OECD informed the Committee of the activities on inspection and certification within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

FUTURE WORK

82. The 11th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems agreed that comments on suggested subjects for future work and the prioritization of such work would be requested by means of Circular Letter15.

83. The Committee agreed to reformat the proposals submitted along with the requests arising from the 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (see para. 3 and 9) in a template that took account of the Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities16 and the relevant discussion at the 19th Extraordinary Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles (Paris, November 2003). The Committee agreed that these proposals, as contained in CRD 13, would serve as a basis for the discussion under this Agenda Item.

84. The Committee noted a proposal to elaborate a prioritization framework, which would include the development of specific criteria for the assessment of proposals for new work by CCFICS. The prioritization framework would therefore take account of the anticipated work on the revision of the Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities in the Codex Committee on General Principles.

85. The Codex Secretariat noted that prioritization of work in Codex Committees should be made in accordance with the Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities as laid down in the Procedural Manual which were currently under revision in the Codex Committee on General Principles. In this regard, the Codex Secretariat drew the attention of the Committee to the decision of the 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission regarding “Improved Process for Standards Management” and “Review of the Rules and Procedures and Other Procedural Matters” by which the Commission decided to request the Codex Committee on General Principles to redraft the Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities to reflect the current priorities of the Commission in a manner that would provide explicit judgement tools for assessing work proposals against priorities17.

86. The Committee decided that, in view of the ongoing work on the revision of the Criteria for the Establishment of Work Priorities in the Codex Committee on General Principles, it would not be advisable at this time to develop work planning criteria specific to the activities of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems.

87. In response to a proposal by Thailand to carry out a survey on the implementation of CCFICS texts to ensure that the texts were implemented in accordance with CCFICS purposes, the Committee noted the voluntary nature of Codex standards and related texts, and that it was not within its mandate nor that of the Codex Alimentarius Commission to monitor their implementation by Member countries. The Committee also noted the concern of Thailand in the increased need of CCFICS guidelines to protect consumers’ health and ensure fair international trade practice.

13 Activity 27, Objective 1 “Promoting Sound Regulatory Framework”. 14 CL 2002/54-FICS, Part B.2 and CL 2003/17-FICS and comments submitted by Australia and the International

Association of Consumer Food Organization (CX/FICS 03/6); the United States (CRD 1); OECD (CRD 4); the Philippines (CRD 12); and CRD 13 (Project Documents on Proposals for New Work).

15 ALINORM 03/30A, para. 55. 16 Codex Alimentarius Commission Procedural Manual, 13th Edition. 17 ALINORM 03/41, paras. 163 and 182.

ALINORM 04/27/30 12

88. Following a general discussion on the opportunity to initiate work on the remaining proposals included in CRD 1318, the Committee agreed:

a) To forward to the Codex Alimentarius Commission three new work items for approval as new work:

• Proposed draft Appendices to the Guidelines on the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection and Certification (Drafting group led by United States with the assistance of Australia, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Romania and South Africa);

• Proposed draft Principles for Electronic Certification (Drafting group led by Australia with the assistance of Canada, France, Republic of Korea, India, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and United States);

• Proposed draft Guidelines for Risk-based Inspection of Imported Foods (Drafting group led by United States with the assistance of Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, South Africa and Switzerland).

b) To prepare three discussion papers for the 13th Session of the Committee, as follows:

• Discussion Paper on the Revision of the Guidelines for the Exchange of Information Between Countries on Rejections of Imported Foods (Drafting group led by India with the assistance of Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the European Community and the Philippines);

• Discussion Paper on the Revision of the Guidelines for Generic Official Certificate Formats and the Production and Issuance of Certificates (Drafting group led by United States with the assistance of India, Iran, the European Community and the Philippines);

• Discussion Paper on Clarification of the Reference “a reasonable interval” in the Guidelines for Food Import Control Systems (Drafting group led by Australia in consultation with Paraguay - subject to confirmation by Paraguay to the Australian Secretariat).

c) To place the agenda item for the next CCFICS on the following order of priority:

i. Proposed draft Appendices to the Guidelines on the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection and Certification;

ii. Proposed draft Principles for Electronic Certification;

iii. Proposed draft Guidelines for Risk-based Inspection of Imported Foods.

iv. Discussion paper on Traceability/product tracing in the Context of Food Inspection and Certification Systems (see para 74);

v. Discussion Paper on the Revision of the Guidelines for the Exchange of Information Between Countries on Rejections of Imported Foods;

vi. Discussion Paper on the Revision of the Guidelines for Generic Official Certificate Formats and the Production and Issuance of Certificates;

vii. Discussion Paper on Clarification of the Reference “a reasonable interval” in the Guidelines for Food Import Control Systems.

89. The Committee noted that work on electronic certification, risk-based inspection of imported foods and appendices to the Guidelines on the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection and Certification would be subject to approval as new work by the Codex Alimentarius Commission or its Executive Committee.

18 Available upon request at the Australian and Codex Secretariats (e-mail: codex.contact@affa.gov.au and

codex.@fao.org respectively).

ALINORM 04/27/30 13

90. The Committee also noted that the appendices would take account of the request of the 26th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in relation to the need for more information to enable the implementation of the Guidelines (see paras. 3 and 9).

91. It further noted that the Discussion Paper on the revision of the Guidelines for Generic Official Certificate Formats would specifically involve revision of Section 5, para. 6 regarding the appropriate use of export certificate and would also envisage the preparation of a standard format for the presentation of the import requirements.

92. With regard to the Discussion Paper on Clarification of the Reference “a reasonable interval” in the Guidelines for Food Import Control Systems, the Observer of the WTO/SPS Committee indicated the relevant decision of the Doha WTO Ministerial 2001 “Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns”19 as regards the reference in the SPS Agreement to “a reasonable interval”20 which could assist the drafting group in its work.

93. The Committee agreed that all the documents for the Committee’s next session should be finalized by the end of July 2004 in order to allow for their translation and timely distribution for consideration at its 13th Session.

DATE AND PLACE OF NEXT SESSION (Agenda Item 7)

94. The Committee noted that its 13th Session was tentatively scheduled to be held from 6 – 10 December 2004 in Australia, subject to further discussions between the Codex and Australian Secretariats.

19 WT/MIN (01)17 (20 November 2001). 20 Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Annex B, para. 2.

ALINORM 04/27/30 14

SUMMARY STATUS OF WORK

Subject Matter Step Action by: Document Reference

(ALINORM 03/16)

Proposed Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Safety Emergency Situations

5/8 Governments 27th CAC

para. 61 Appendix II

Proposed draft Appendices to the Guidelines on the Judgement of Equivalence of Sanitary Measures Associated with Food Inspection and Certification

1/2/3 27th CAC Drafting Group led by United States Comments 13th CCFICS

paras. 88-90

Proposed draft Principles for Electronic Certification

1/2/3 27th CAC Drafting Group led by Australia Comments 13th CCFICS

paras. 88-89

Proposed draft Guidelines for Risk-based Inspection of Imported Foods

1/2/3 27th CAC Drafting Group led by United States Comments 13th CCFICS

paras. 88-89

Discussion paper on Traceability/Product Tracing in the Context of Food Inspection and Certification Systems

- Australian Secretariat Comments 13th CCFICS

paras. 72-74

Discussion Paper on the Revision of the Guidelines for the Exchange of Information Between Countries on Rejections of Imported Foods

- Drafting Group led by India Comments 13th CCFICS

para. 88

Discussion Paper on the Revision of the Guidelines for Generic Official Certificate Formats and the Production and Issuance of Certificates

- Drafting Group led by United States Comments 13th CCFICS

paras. 88 and 91

Discussion Paper on Clarification of the Reference “a reasonable interval” in the Guidelines for Food Import Control Systems

- Drafting Group led by Australia Comments 13th CCFICS

paras. 88 and 92

Proposed draft Guidelines on the Judgement of Equivalence of Technical Regulations Associated with Food Inspection and Certification Systems

discontinued 27th CAC para. 80

ALINORM 04/30/27 – Appendix I 15

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS LISTE DES PARTICIPANTS LISTA DE PARTIPANTES

CHAIRPERSON

Mr Gregory Read Executive Manager

Exports and Corporate Division Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry GPO Box 858

CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 2 6272 3594 Fax: +61 2 6272 4112

Email: gregory.read@daff.gov.au

ARGENTINA

Mr Fernando Lavaggi Director de Fiscalizacion Vegetal Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria – SENASA Avda Paseo Colon 367 7° Piso Ciudad De BUENOS AIRES 1063 ARGENTINA Phone: +54 11 4345 4225 Fax: +54 11 4345 4225 imt 1530 Email: flavag@mecon.gov.ar

AUSTRALIA

Dr Ann McDonald General Manager Market Maintenance Group Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 5254 Fax: +61 2 6272 4112 Email: ann.mcdonald@daff.gov.au

Mr Trent Brady Policy Officer Food and Agriculture Group Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry GPO Box 858 BARTON ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 4085 Fax: +61 2 6272 4367 Email: trent.brady@daff.gov.au

Dr Scott Crerar Team Manager Monitoring and Evaluation Food Standards Australia New Zealand PO Box 7186 CANBERRA BC ACT 2610 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6271 2235 Fax: +61 2 6271 2278 Email: scott.crerar@foodstandards.gov.au

Mr Steve Crossley Section Manager Modelling, Evaluation and Surveys Food Standards Australia New Zealand PO Box 7186 CANBERRA BC ACT 2610 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6271 2624 Fax: +61 2 6271 2278 Email: steve.crossley@foodstandards.gov.au

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 16

Ms Peggy Douglass Senior Advisor Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 5786 Fax: +61 2 6271 6522 Email: peggy.douglass@daff.gov.au

Ms Kirsten Hambly Executive Officer Agriculture and Food Branch Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade RG Casey Building John McEwen Crescent BARTON ACT 0221 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6261 1865 Fax: +61 2 6112 1865 Email: kirsten.hambly@dfat.gov.au

Dr Hikmat Hayder Senior Scientist Food Standards Australia New Zealand PO Box 7186 CANBERRA BC ACT 2610 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6271 2645 Fax: +61 2 6271 2278 Email: hikmat.hayder@foodstandards.gov.au

Ms Brenda Kilgore Senior Food Scientist Food Standards Australia New Zealand PO Box 7186 BARTON ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6271 2692 Fax: +61 2 6271 2278 Email: brenda.kilgore@foodstandards.gov.au

Mr Kieth Murray Operations Co-ordinator Australian Quarantine Inspection Service Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry PO Box 222 HAMILTON QLD 4007 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 7 3246 8685 Fax: +61 2 7 3246 8657 Email: kieth.murray@daff.gov.au

Ms Usha Sriram-Prasad Senior Policy Officer Food and Agriculture Group Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 3547 Fax: +61 2 6272 4367 Email: Usha.sp@daff.gov.au

Mr Nektarios Tsirbas Manager Trading Environment and Programs Market Access and Biosecurity Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry GPO Box 858 BARTON ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 4811 Fax: +61 2 6272 4600 Email: nektarios.tsirbas@daff.gov.au

Ms Jenny Williams Assistant Program Manager Food Standards Australia New Zealand PO Box 7186 BARTON ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 2625 Fax: +61 2 6271 2278 Email: jenny.williams@foodstandards.gov.au

Mrs Robyn Banks Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition Manager Nestlé Australia Ltd. Locked Bag 5 SILVERWATER NSW 2138 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 8756 2305 Fax: +61 2 9736 0426 Email: robyn.banks@au.nestle.com

Mr Tony Downer Assistant Director Scientific and Technical Australian Food and Grocery Council Locked Bag 1 KINGSTON ACT 2604 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6273 1466 Fax: +61 2 6273 1477 Email: tony.downer@afgc.org.au

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 17

Mr Digby Gascoine Consultant PO Box 4012 MANUKA ACT 2603 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6231 7746 Fax: +61 2 6231 7863 Email: digby.gascoine@bigpond.com

Mr Robert Statham CPSU (FIS) Queensland FIS State Secretary 4 Lumbye Place North Tivoli IPSWICH QLD 4305 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 7 3281 8210 Email: robcoral@bigpond.com.au

AUSTRIA

Mr Dieter Jenewein Ministerialrat Federal Ministry for Health and Women C/o Technikerstrasse 70, A-6020 INNSBRUCK AUSTRIA Phone: +43 512 224 400 Fax: +43 224 4015 Email: dieter.jenewein@ages.at

BELGIUM

Dr Sofie Huyberechts Veterinary Officer Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) DG Control Policy International Affairs WTC III Boulevard Simon Bolivaz 30 1000 BRUSSELS BELGIUM Phone: +32 2 208 3868 Fax: +32 2 208 3823Email: Sofie.huyberechts@favv.be

BRAZIL

Ms Ana Virginia de Almeida Figueiredo Manager of Food Inspection Brazilian National Surveillance Agency SEPN Q 515 Bloco B Ed. Omega 3 Andar BRASILIA DF BRAZIL

Mr Pedro Cunha E Menezes Consul Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry 17/31 Market Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 AUSTRALIA Phone +61 2 9267 6503 Fax: +61 2 9267 4419 Email: pmenezes@brazil.sydney.org

Dr Marcelo Mazzini Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e do Abastecimento Esplanada Dos Ministerios Edif Anexo – ALA “A” Sala 406 ASA SUL BRASILIA DF BRAZIL Phone: +55 612 182 339 Fax: +55 612 182 672 Email: mazzini@agricultura.gov.br

CANADA

Dr Mervyn Baker Director Food of Animal Origin Division Canadian Food Inspection Agency 59 Camelot Drive OTTAWA ONTARIO K1A 0Y9 CANADA Phone: +1 613 221 7027 Fax: +1 613 228 6636Email: mbaker@inspection.gc.ca

Mr Ron Burke Director Bureau of Food Regulatory International & Interagency Affairs Food Directorate Health Products and Food Branch Health Canada Building #7, Room 2395 (0702C1) Tunney’s Pasture OTTAWA ONTARIO K1A 0L2 CANADA Phone: +1 613 957 1748 Fax: +1 613 941 3537 Email: ronald_burke@hc-sc.gc.ca

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 18

Mr Pierre Desmarais Second Secretary Canadian High Commission Commonwealth Avenue CANBERRA ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6270 4029 Fax: +61 2 6270 4069 Email: Pierre.desmarais@dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Dr Thomas Feltmate Manager Food Safety Risk Analysis Unit Canadian Food Inspection Agency 3851 Fallowfield Road PO 11300 NEPEAN ONTARIO K2H 8P9 CANADA Phone: +1 613 228 6698 ext. 5982 Fax: +1 613 228 6675 Email: tfeltmate@inspection.gc.ca

CHILE

Ms Kathy Hermosilla Honorory Consul of Chile (Qld) Ministry of Foreign Affairs 87 Lyndale Street DAISY HILL QLD 4127 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 7 3208 8444 Fax: +61 7 3208 8999 Email: honconchilebne@hotmail.com

CHINA

Ms Li Yubing Deputy Director Certification and Accreditation Administration of China PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OFCHINA Phone: +86 10 8226 2760 Fax: +86 10 8226 0753 Email: Liyubing@cnca.gov.cn

Mr Tang Deliang Bureau of Import and Export Food Safety General Administration of Quality Supervision Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of China No 9 Madiandonglu Chaoyang District BEIJING 100088 CHINA Phone: +86 10 8226 2018 Fax: +86 10 82260175 Email: tangdl@aqsiq.gov.cn

Mr Sun Guosheng Deputy Director Tianijin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of China No 33 Youyi poad Hexi District TIANJIN 300201 CHINA Phone: +86 22 2813 4961 Fax: +86 22 2813 4061 Email: sungs@aqsiq.gov.cn

Mr Wang Hongwei Deputy Director National Veterinary Diagnostic Centre Ministry of Agriculture CHINA 100094 Phone: +86 10 6289 1257 Fax: +86 10 6289 1258 Email: wanghongwei@nvdc.cn

Mr Liu Yong Official Shandong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau Qu Tangxia Road 70 QINGDAO 266002 CHINA Phone: +86 532 267 1549 Fax: +86 532 265 3971 Email: liuyoung65@yahoo.com

Mr Wang Huafei Departmental Director Development Center for Green Food of China PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Phone: +86 10 6219 1409 Fax: +86 10 6213 3552 Email: chinawhf@vip.sina.com

Mr Liu Junhua China National Institute of Standardization No 3 Southroad Yuhui, Chaoyang District BEIJING 100029 CHINA Phone: +86 10 8461 1177 2655 Email: liujh@chis.gov.cn

Mr Chungpui Lee Senior Superintendent Food and Environmental Hygiene Department 43/F Queensway Government Offices 66 Queensway HONG KONG – Special Administrative Region CHINA Phone: +852 2867 5566 Fax: +852 2521 4784 Email: cplee@fehd.gov.hk

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 19

CUBA

Mr Gabriel Lahens Espinosa Director Department of technical Regulations and Quality Ministry of Foreign Trade Infanta Street No. 16 Esquina 23 VEDADO LA HABANA CUBA Phone: +53 7 542 139 Fax: +53 7 550 461 Email: gabriel.lahens@mincex.cu

DENMARK

Mr Erik Engelst Petersen Veterinary Officer Danish Veterinary and Food Administration Mørkhøj Bygade 19, DK 2860 SOBORG DENMARK Phone: +45 3 395 6000 Fax: +45 3 395 6001 Email: eep@fdir.dk

EGYPT

Mr Sayied Hassan Manager of the Cereals Department General Organization for Export and Import Control 10 Sohaag Street OMRANIA EGYPT Phone: +202 5741 654 Fax: +202 577 8376 Email: sayed2422003@yahoo.com

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

Dr Henri Belveze European Commission Rue Froissart 101 Bureau 4/76 BRUSSELS BELGIUM Phone: +32 2296 2812 Fax: +32 2 2998566 Email: henri.belveze@cec.eu.int

Mr Andrew Wilson Counsellor EC Delegation 140 Wireless Road BANGKOK 10330 THAILAND Phone: +66 2 255 9100 Fax: + 66 2 255 9114 Email: Andrew.Wilson@cec.eu.int

FINLAND

Miss Leena Eerola Veterinary Officer Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Food and Health Department, Border Inspection Unit Mariankatu 23 PO Box 30 HELSINKI 00023 FINLAND Phone: +358 9 1605 2375 Fax: +358 9 1605 2779 Email: Leena.Eerola@mmm.fi

FRANCE

Mrs Roseline Lecourt Chargee de Mission Ministere de l’Economie, des Finances et de l’Industrie DGCCRF Teledoc 051 59 Boulevard Vincent Auriol 75703 PARIS CEDEX 13 France Phone: +33 1 4497 3470 Fax: +33 1 4497 3037 Email: roseline.lecourt@dgccrf.finances.gouv.fr

GEORGIA

Dr Ilia Bibileishvili Head of Division Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Georgia Marketing and External Trade Division 41, Kostava Street TBILISI GEORGIA Phone: + 995 32 986653 Fax: +995 32 333 698

Professor Avtandil Korakhashvili Chairman of Agro-biodiversity Scientific Council Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Georgia 41, Kostava Street TBILISI GEORGIA Phone: +995 32 3326 71 Fax: +995 3233 3698 Email: Bidzina_Korakhashvili@dai.com; giabib@maf.ge

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 20

GERMANY

Ms Marie-Luise Trebes Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Nutrition & Agriculture Rochusstrasse 1 53123 BONN GERMANY Phone: +49 (0) 228 5293 394 Fax: +49 (0) 228 5294 943 Email: marie-luise.trebes@bmvel.bund.de

Dr Hartmut Waldner Federal Office of Consumer Protection & Food Safety (BVL) Crisis Management and Rapid Alert Systems Unit 104 Rochusstrasse 65 BONN D-53123 GERMANY Phone: +49 (0) 228 6198 261 Fax: +49 (0) 228 6198 120 Email: hartmut.waldner@bvl.bund.de

HUNGARY

Dr Endre Rácz Head of Unit Department for Food Production Ministry of Agriculture and Regional Development Kossuth L. ter 11 BUDAPEST H-1055 HUNGARY Phone: +36 1 301 4383 Fax: +36 1 301 4808 Email: endre.racz@fvm.hu

INDIA

Ms Shashi Sareen Director Export Inspection Council of India Ministry of Commerce 3rd Floor NDYMCA Cultural Centre Building 1 Jai Singh Road NEW DELHI 11001I INDIA Phone: +91 11 2374 8025 Fax: +91 11 2374 8186 Email: director@eicindia.org

Mr K. S. Money Chairman Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Ministry of Commerce & Industry Government of India 3rd Floor NCUI Building 3 Siri Institutional Area August Kranti Marg NEW DELHI 110016 INDIA Phone: +91 11 26526187 Fax: +91 11 26526187 Email: chairman@apeda.com

Mr Shri Tapesh Pawar Joint Secretary (A & IC) Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying Ministry of Agriculture Krishi Bhavan NEW DELHI 11001I INDIA Phone: +91 11 2338 7804 Fax: +91 11 23386115 Email: tpawar@nic.in

Mr Anup K. Thakur Joint Secretary Department of Commerce Ministry of Commerce and Industry Udyog Bhavan NEW DELHI 11001I INDIA Phone: +91 11 2301 5215 Fax: +91 11 2301 4418 Email: anupthakur@ub.nic.in

INDONESIA

Dr Soempeno Putro Director-General Capacity Building and Marketing Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries JL Medan Merdeka Timur 16 JAKARTA INDONESIA Phone: +62 2135 00063 Fax: +62 2135 20844 Email: sumpeno@mailcity.com

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 21

Mrs Ketut Oka Harmini Senior Officer Directorate for Inspection of Distributed Goods and Services Ministry of Industry and Trade JL MI Ridwan Rais No.5 Gedung Blok II Lt 3 JAKARTA 10110 INDONESIA Phone: +62 21 3858 171 75 ext.1110 Fax: +62 21 3858 189 Email: nyomansutisna@yahoo.com

Dr Karim Husein Head Centre for Standardisation and Accreditation Ministry of Industry and Trade INDONESIA Phone: +21 5252 690 Fax: +21 5252 690 Email: kapustam@dprin.go.id

Mrs Dharmawati Masfar Deputy Director for Import Ministry of Industry and Trade J1 Ridwan Rais No 5 JAKARTA 10110 INDONESIA Phone: +62 021 3858 194 Fax: +62 021 385 8194

Ms RN Nurnadiah Deputy Director for Processed Product Quality for Horticulture Ministry of Agriculture Gd D Lt III JL Harsono RM#3 Ragunan JAKARTA 12550 INDONESIA Phone: +62 21 7818 202 Fax: +62 21 7884 2007 Email: nurnadiah@deptan.go.id

Mr Febrian A Ruddyard First Secretary/Economic Indonesian Embassy 8 Darwin Avenue YARRALUMLA CANBERRA ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6250 8600 Fax: +61 2 6273 6017 Email: bidekon1@cyberone.com.au

Mr Ignatius Warsito Senior Officer Directorate for Inspection of Distributed Goods and Services Ministry of Industry and Trade JAKARTA INDONESIA Phone: 62 21 385 8189 Fax: 62 21 35 8189 Email: ignwarsi@yahoo.com; i.warsito@centrin.net.id

IRAN ( ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF)

Mr Mohammad Hosein Kalantar Motamedi Isiri President Adviser Institute of Standard & Industrial Research of Iran PO Box 14155-6139 TEHRAN IRAN Phone: +98 21888 9664 Fax: +98 2188 79475 Email: motamedi@isiri.or.ir

Dr Ali Safar-Maken Deputy of Quarantine and International Affairs Iranian Veterinary Organization PO Box 14155/6349 IRAN Phone: +98 261 650 7452/+98 21 895 7193 Fax: +98 28 895 7252 Email: ivoquarantine@ivo.org.ir

Mr Anoushiravan Parsa Nejad Overseas Inspection Manager International Goods Inspection Co PO Box 15875-3619 TEHRAN IRAN Phone: +98 218833 1756 Fax: +98 2188 40750 Email: commercial@igico.com

IRELAND

Mr Edwin Teehan Superintending Veterinary Inspector Department of Agriculture and Food Kildare Street DUBLIN 2 IRELAND Phone: +353 1607 2985 Fax: +3531 678 9733 Email: Edwin.teehan@agriculture.gov.ie

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 22

Mr Jeffrey Moon Chief Specialist Environmental Health Food Safety Authority of Ireland Abbey Court Lower Abbey Street DUBLIN 1 IRELAND Phone: +353 1 817 1309 Fax: +353 1 817 1301 Email: jmoon@fsai.ie

ITALY

Professor Piergiuseppe Facelli Dirigente Veterinario Ministero della Salute Piazza Marconi n. 25 ROME I-00144 ITALY Phone: +39 0659 9466 13 Fax: +39 0659 9465 55 Email: pg.facelli@sanita.it

Mr Ciro Impagnatiello Ministero Delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali Via XX Settembre 20 ROME 00187 ITALY Phone: +39 06 46656511 Fax: +39 06 4880 273 Email: ciroimpa@tiscali.it

JAPAN

Dr Koji Miura Director International Food Safety Planning Department of Food Safety, Pharmaceutical & Food Safety Bureau Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare 1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku TOKYO 100-8916 JAPAN Phone: +81 3 3595 2326 Fax: +81 3 3503 7965 Email: miura-koujimd@mhlw.go.jp

Dr Masayuki Tasai Assistant Director Office of Quarantine Stations Administration Policy Planning and Communication Division Department of Food Safety, Pharmaceutical & Food Safety Bureau Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare 1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku TOKYO 100-8916 JAPAN Phone: +81 3 3595 2333 Fax: +81 3 3591 8029 Email: tasai-masayuki@mhlw.go.jp

Mr Masanori Imagawa Chief Inspection and Safety Division Department of Food safety, Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare 1-2-2 Kasumigaseki Chiyoda-ku TOKYO 100-8916 JAPAN Phone: +81 3 3595 2337 Fax: +81 3 3503 7964 Email: imagawa-masanori@mhlw.go.jp

Mr Seiichiro Oyama Director for International Affairs Office Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku TOKYO 100-8950 JAPAN Phone: +81 3 5512 2291 Fax: +81 3 3597 0329 Email: seiichirou-ooyama@nm.maff.go.jp

Ms Yukie Honda Planning and Coordinating Department Quality Assurance Division Section Staff of Internal Laboratory Control IAA Center for Food Quality, Labelling & Consumer Services Headquarters Saitama Shintoshin Godo Chosha Kensato Bld 2-1 Shintoshin, Cyuo-ku Saitama-shi SAITAMA 330-9731 JAPAN Phone: +81 48 600 2359 Fax: +81 48 600 2377 Email: yukie-honda@cfqlcs.go.jp

KENYA

Dr James Karitu Senior Veterinary Officer (Hygiene) Department of Veterinary Services Veterinary Research Laboratory PO Box 00625 KANGEMI NAIROBI KENYA Phone: +254 20 631 289 Fax: +254 20 631 273 Email: ngandukaritu@yahoo.com

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 23

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF

Mr Song Boo Koh Deputy Director Korea Food and Drug Administration #5 Nokbun-Dong EunPyung-Ku SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA Phone: +82 2 380 1733 Fax: +82 2 388 6392 Email: kohsb@kfda.go.kr

Dr Soo Hyun Kim Assistant Director Bilateral Cooperation Division Ministry of Agriculture of Forestry Government Complex 2 KWACHEON-CITY KYUNGGI-DO 427-719 REPUBLIC OF KOREA Phone: +82 2 500 1727 Fax: +82 2 504 6659 Email: Kimsh@maf.go.kr

Mr Nam-Gyeong Koo Administrative Officer Ministry of Health and Welfare #1 Joongang-dong, Gwacheon-si GYEONGGI-DO REPUBLIC OF KOREA Phone: +82 2 503 7558 Fax: +82 2 504 1456 Email: Cob1004@mohw.go.kr

Miss Yun-kyoung Lee Senior Researcher Ministry of Health and Welfare # 1 Joongang-dong, Gwacheon-si GYEONGGI-DO REPUBLIC OF KOREA Phone: +82 2 503 7558 Fax: +82 2 504 1456 Email: yklee0104@mohw.go.kr

Mr Cheon Il Park Assistant Director Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries REPUBLIC OF KOREA Phone: +82 2 3148 6922 Fax: +82 2 3148 6924 Email: pcil000@hannmail.net

Mr Young-sig Park Head Researcher KHIDI 57-1 Naryangin-Dong SEOUL 156-800 REPUBLIC OF KOREA Phone: +82 2 2194 7484 Email: parkys@khidi.or.kr

MALAYSIA

Dr A’aisah Senin Principal Assistant Director Food Quality Control Division Ministry of Health Malaysia 3rd Floor, Block B Jalan Cenderasari KUALA LUMPUR 50590 MALAYSIA Phone: +603 2694 6601 Fax: +603 2694 6517 Email: aaisah@moh.gov.my

Dr Zaliha Abdullah Head, Veterinary Inspection Unit Veterinary Public health Section Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia 8th and 9th Floor Wisma Chase Perdana Damansara Heights KUALA LUMPUR 50630 MALAYSIA Phone: +603 2094 0077 Fax: +603 2093 5804 Email: zaliha@jph.gov.my

Mr Raj R. D’Nathan Deputy Under Secretary Crops, Livestock and Fisheries Industry Division Ministry of Agriculture Level 19, Putra Place 100 Jalan Putra KUALA LUMPUR 50350 MALAYSIA Phone: +603 4045 3050 Fax: + 603 4045 8900 Email: raj@agri.moa.my

Dr Haliza Abdul Manaf Assistant Director Food Quality Control Division Ministry of Health Malaysia 3rd Floor, Block B Jalan Cenderasari KUALA LUMPUR 50590 MALAYSIA Phone: +603 2694 6601 Fax: +603 2694 6517 Email: haliza@moh.gov.my

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 24

MEXICO

Mr Guillermo Arroyo Gómez Executive Manager of Special Programme Federal Commission Against Safety Hazards (COFEPRIS) Secretaria de Salud Monterrey No 33, Col Roma, CP 06700, MEXICO DF MEXICO Phone: +52 (55) 5080 5262 Fax: +55 (55) 5514 1407 Email: garroyo@salud.gob.mx

Ms Silvia Hernández Rivera Executive Subdirector for Import and Exports Comision Federal para la Proteccion Contra Secretaria de Salud (COFEPRIS) Monterrey No 33, Col Roma, CP 06700, MEXICO DF MEXICO Phone: +52 55 5080 0915 Fax: +52 55 5080 5200 Ext 1001 Email: shrivera@salud.gob.mx

Dr Jorge Leyva Director General of Phytosanitary Inspections SENASICA-SAGARPA Municipio Libre 377 Piso 7 ala B 03310 MEXICO DF MEXICO Phone: +55 9183 1000 ext. 34063 Fax: +55 9183 1010 ext. 34079 Email: dgif.dir@senasica.sagarpa.gob.mx

NEW ZEALAND

Dr Steve Hathaway Director Program Development Group New Zealand Food Safety Authority PO Box 646 GISBORNE NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 6 867 1144 Fax: +64 6 868 5207 Email: steve.hathaway@nzfsa.govt.nz

Mr Phil Fawcet Programme Manager Regulatory Standards Dairy and Plant Products Group New Zealand Food Safety Authority PO Box 2835 WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 4 463 2656 Fax: +64 4 463 2675 Email: phil.fawcet@nzfsa.govt.nz

Mrs Cherie Flynn Senior Policy Analyst Policy Group New Zealand Food Safety Authority PO Box 2835 WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 4 463 2572 Fax: +64 4 463 2583 Email: cherie.flynn@nzfsa.govt.nz

Mr Ashley Mudford Programme Manager – E Cert New Zealand Food Safety Authority PO Box 2835 WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 4 4632 605 Email: Ashley.mudford@nzfsa.govt.nz

Mr Basker Nadarajah National Co-ordinator Imported Products New Zealand Food Safety Authority Private Bag 92605 Symonds Street AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 9 262 1885 Fax: +64 9 630 7470 Email: baskern@adhb.govt.nz

Mr Drasko Pavlovic E-cert Manager Animal Products Group New Zealand Food Safety Authority Custom House 50 Anzac Avenue AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 9 302 1803 Fax: +64 9 309 8302 Email: pavlovicd@maf.govt.nz

Mr Jim Wilson Programme Manager Imports New Zealand Food Safety Authority PO Box 2835 WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 4 463 2663 Fax: +64 4 463 2591 Email: jim.wilson@nzfsa.govt.nz

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 25

Mr James Riley Compliance Manager New Zealand Meat Industry Association Te Kuiti Meat Processors Ltd PO Box 169 TE KUITI NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 7 878 6045 Fax: +64 7 878 7787 Email: jamesr@tkmeats.co.nz

Mr Ian Baldick PSA Organiser New Zealand Public Service Association Private Bag 68906 AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 9 376 7430 Fax: +64 9 376 7469 Email: ian.baldick@psa.org.nz

Mr Keith Gutsell National Delegate PSA Asure New Zealand c/- Alliance Lorneville Private Bag 1410 INVERCARGILL NEW ZEALAND Phone: +64 3 215 6418 Fax: +64 3 215 7909 Email: keith.kg@es.co.nz

NORWAY

Mr Lennart Johanson Deputy Director General Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries PO Box 8118 Dep NO – 0032 OSLO NORWAY Phone: +47 2224 2665 Fax: +47 2224 9585 Email: Lennart.Johanson@fid.dep.no

Ms Lena Brungot Specialist Executive Officer Directorate of Fisheries Department of Seafood PO Box 185 Sentrum N-5804 BERGEN NORWAY Phone: +47 55 23 80 00 Fax: +47 55 23 80 90 Email: lena.brungot@fiskeridir.no

Ms Vigdis Møllersen Advisor Control Systems Department for Control and Coordination Norwegian Food Control Authority PO Box 8187 Dep N-0034 OSLO NORWAY Phone: +47 23 21 66 69 Fax: +47 23 21 70 01 Email: vvm@snt.no

Ms Gisken Thoen Senior Advisor Section for Scientific, International and Legal Affairs Department for Control and Coordination Norwegian Food Control Authority PO Box 8187 Dep N-0034 OSLO NORWAY Phone: +47 23 21 66 29 Fax: +47 23 21 70 01 Email: gbt@snt.no

Mr Frode Veggeland Researcher Norwegian Agricultural Economics Research Institute Schweigaaradsgt 33B Postboks 8024 Dep OSLO NO – 0030 NORWAY Phone: +47 2236 7239 Fax: +47 2236 7299 Email: frode.veggeland@nilf.no

PHILIPPINES

Mr Gilberto Layese Director Bureau of Agriculture & Fisheries Product Standards BPI Compound Visayas Avenue Diliman QUEZON CITY PHILIPPINES Phone: +632 920 6132/6133 Fax: +632 920 6134 Email: bafps@yahoo.com

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 26

Dr Efren Nuestro Executive Director National Meat Inspection Commission BAI – Compound Visayas Avenue Diliman QUEZON CITY PHILIPPINES Phone: +63 2 924 3119 Fax: +63 2 924 7973 Email: ec_nuestro@hotmail.com

ROMANIA

Mrs Daniela-Eugenia Cucu Deputy Director-General Romanian Accreditation Association Street General Berthelot nr. 24 Sector 1 BUCHAREST 010168 ROMANIA Phone: + 40 21 310 2274 Fax: +40 21 310 1390 Email: dcucu@renar.ro

SINGAPORE

Dr Sin Bin Chua Deputy CEO Director, Food & Veterinary Administration Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore 5 Maxwell Road #04-00 Tower Block, MND Complex SINGAPORE 069110 Phone: +65 6 325 7622 Fax: +65 6 220 6068 Email: chua_sin_bin@ava.gov.sg

Dr Astrid Yeo Assistant Director (Import and Export) Food and Veterinary Administration Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority 5 Maxwell Road #02-00 Tower Block, MND Complex SINGAPORE 069110 Phone: +65 6 325 7686 Fax: +65 6 220 6068 Email: astrid_yeo@ava.gov.sg

SOUTH AFRICA

Mr David E. Malan Assistant Director Directorate: Food Safety & Quality Assurance Department of Agriculture Private Bag X258 PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA Phone: +27 12 319 6049 Fax: +27 12 319 6055 Email: davidm@nda.agric.za

Mr Deon Jacobs Food and Associated Industries Department Regulatory Affairs and Consumer Protection Division South African Bureau of Standards PO Box 615 7701 RONDEBOSCH CAPETOWN SOUTH AFRICA Phone: +27 21 689 5511 Email: jacobsdc@sabs.co.za

Mr Gideon Joubert Technical Advisor Food & Associated Industries Policy Development & Implementation Department Regulatory Affairs & Consumer Protection Division South African Bureau of Standards Private Bag X191 0001 PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA Phone: +27 12 428 6086 Fax: +27 12 428 6466 Email: joubergj@sabs.co.za

Mr Dries Pretorius Directorate: Food Control Department of Health Private Bag X828 0001 PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA Phone: +27 12 312 0159 Fax: +27 12 312 3162 Email: pretoa@health.gov.za

SPAIN

Miss Almudena Arriba Técnico Superior Veterinaria Ministerio De Sanidad y Consumo Subdirección General De Sanidad Exterior Dirección General de Salud Publica Ministerio Sanidad y Consumo MADRID 28071 SPAIN Phone: +34 1 596 1347 Fax: +34 1 596 2047 Email: aarriba@msc.es

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 27

Mr Eduardo Gonzalez Market Analyst Commercial Office Embassy of Spain Suite 408/203 New South Head Road EDGECLIFF NSW 2027 Phone: +61 2 9362 4212 Fax: +61 2 9362 4057 Email: eduardo.gonzalez@sidney.ofcomes.mcx.es

SWAZILAND

Mr Gcina Dlamini Senior Health Inspector Ministry of Health and Social Welfare PO Box 5 MBABANE SWAZILAND Phone: +268 404 2431 Fax: +268 404 2092 Email: mngco@yahoo.com

SWEDEN

Dr Tor Bergman Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer – PH Swedish National Food Administration Box 622 SE – 75126 UPPSALA SWEDEN Phone: +46 1817 5587 Fax: +46 1817 5310 Email: tor.bergman@slv.se

Mrs Anna Brådenmark Head of International Trade Division Food Control Department Swedish National Food Administration Box 622 SE 751 26 UPPSALA SWEDEN Phone: +46 1817 5543 Fax: +46 1812 1949 Email: anna.bradenmark@slv.se

Dr Tina Lindström Senior Administrative Officer Animal Health Division Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries S-103, 33 STOCKHOLM SWEDEN Phone: +46 8 4053 508 Fax: +46 8 405 4970 Email: tina.lindstrom@agriculture.ministry.se

SWITZERLAND

Mrs Awilo Ochieng Pernet Responsible, Codex Alimentarius Swiss Federal Office of Public Health Main Unit Food Safety Schwarzenburgstrasse 165 CH3003 BERNE SWITZERLAND Phone: +41 31 322 0041 Fax: +41 31 322 9574 Email: awilo.ochieng@bag.admin.ch

Mr Jürg Rüfenacht Head Border Veterinary Inspection Swiss Veterinary Office Schwarzenburgstrasse 161 CH-3003 BERNE SWITZERLAND Phone: + 41 31 323 8510 Fax: +41 31 323 8656 Email: juerg.ruefenacht@bvet.admin.ch

THAILAND

Ms Metanee Sukontarug Director Office of Commodity and System Srtandards National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Rajdamnern Nok. Avenue BANGKOK 10200 THAILAND Phone: 662 280 3900 Fax: 662 280 3899 Email: codex@acfs.go.th

Ms Usa Bamrungbhuet Standards Officer National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards Ministry of Agricultures and Cooperatives Rajdamnern Nok. Avenue BANGKOK 10200 THAILAND Phone: +662 280 3883 Fax: +662 629 9654 Email: usa@acfs.go.th; usa_bam@hotmail.com

Mrs Malinee Subvanich General Secretary Thai Food Processors’ Association 170/21-22 9th Floor Ocean Tower 1 BLDG New Ratchadapisek Rd. Klongtoey BANGKOCK 10110 THAILAND Phone: +662 261-2684-6; 662 261-2995 Fax: +662 261-2996-7 Email: thaifood@thaifood.org

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 28

Mr Boonpeng Santiwattanatam The Federation of Thai Industries Queen Sirikit National Convention Center Zone C 4th Floor 60 New Rachadapisek Road, Klongtoey BANGKOK THAILAND Phone: +66 2 229 4255 #153 Fax: +66 2 229 4927 Email: boonpeng@cpf.co.th

Mr Lers Thisayakorn Treasurer of Thai Frozen Foods Association 92/6 6th Floor Sathorn Thani II North Sathorn Road Bangrak BANGKOK 10500 THAILAND Phone: +66 2 2355 622 24 Fax: +66 2 2355 625 Email: unitedco@anet.net.th

Ms Waraporn Boonkajornkul Technician of Thai Food Processors’ Association 170/21-22 9TH Floor Ocean Tower Building New Ratchadapisek Road Klongtoey BANGKOK 10110 THAILAND Phone: +66 2 261 2684-6 Fax: +66 2 261 2996-7 Email: technician@thaifood.org

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Dr Catherine Carnevale, Delegate Director, Office of Constituent Operations Food and Drug Administration Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 5100 Paint Branch Parkway Mail Code - HFS-550 College Park MARYLAND 20740 USA Phone: +1 301 436 2380 Fax: +1 301436 2618 Email: catherine.carnevale@cfsan.fda.gov

Dr Kenneth Clayton Associate Administrator Agricultural Marketing Service US Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW Room 3071 - South Building WASHINGTON DC 20250, USA Phone: +1 202 720 4276 Fax: +1 202 720 8477 Email: Kenneth.clayton@usda.gov

Mr Donald Hodgen International Trade Administration US Department of Commerce Room 3013 WASHINGTON DC 20230 USA Phone: +1 202 482 3346 Fax: +1 202 482 3981 Email: donald_a_hodgen@ita.doc.gov

Ms Deborah Malac Biotechnology and Textile Trade Policy Division Department of State WASHINGTON DC USA Phone: +1 202 647 2062 Fax: +1 202 647 1894 Email: MalacDR@state.gov

Dr Garry McKee Administrator US Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service 1400 Independence Avenue SW Room 331E-JLW Building WASHINGTON DC USA Phone: +1 202 720 7025 Fax: +1 202 205 0158 Email: Garry.McKee@fsis.usda.gov

Ms Mary Stanley Director Office of International Affairs FSIS US Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW Room 2137 South Building WASHINGTON DC 20250 USA Phone: +1 202 720 0287 Fax: +1 202 720 7990 Email: Mary.Stanley@fsis.usda.gov

Ms Karen Stuck, Alternate Delegate Assistant Administrator, Office of International Affairs Food Safety and Inspection Service US Department of Agriculture Office of International Affairs FSISW 1400 Independence Avenue SW Room 3143 - South Building WASHINGTON DC 20250-3700 USA Phone: +1 202 720 3473 Fax: +1 202 720 3856 Email: karen.stuck@fsis.usda.gov

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 29

Ms Audrey Talley, Deputy Director Foreign Agricultural Service, FSTSO US Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW Room 5545 - South Building WASHINGTON DC 20250 USA Phone: +1 202 720 9408 Fax: +1 202 690 0677 Email: Audrey.Talley@fas.usda.gov

Dr H Michael Wehr Director FSIS Codex Program Staff US Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW Room 3843 South Building WASHINGTON DC 20250 USA Phone: +1 202 720 2933 Fax: + 1 202 720 6050 Email: Michael.Wehr@fsis.usda.gov

Ms Jane Earley Consultant Corn, Soy and Cotton Coalition Promar International 1101 King Street Suite 444 ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA 22314 USA Phone: +1 703 838 0602 Fax: +1 703 739 9098 Email: jearley@promarinternational.com

Mr C W McMillan C. W. McMillan Company PO Box 10009 ALEXANDRIA VA 22310 USA Phone: +1 703 960 1982 Fax: +1 703 960 4976 Email: cwmco@aol.com

Mr Johnnie Nichols Director, Technical Services National Milk Producers Federation 2101 Wilson Boulevard ARLINGTON VA 22201 USA Phone: +1 703 243 6111 ext 344 Fax: +1 703 841 9328 Email: jnichols@nmpf.org

Ms Peggy Rochette Senior Director of International Policy National Food Processors Association 1350 I Street NW WASHINGTON DC 20005 USA Phone: +1 202 639 5921 Fax: +1 202 639 5991 Email: prochet@nfpa-food.org

Mr Richard White Office of the United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street NW Winder Building Room 421 WASHINGTON DC 20250 USA Phone: +1 202 395 9582 Fax: +1 202 395 4579 Email: RWhite@ustr.gov

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

OECD

Mr Jean-Marie Debois OECD/OCDE Agricultural Codes and Schemes 2, Rue Andre-Pascal 75775 Paris Cedex 16 PARIS France Phone: +33 145 259 548 Fax: +33 1443 0617 Email: jean-marie.debois@oecd.org

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

Dr Hajime Toyofuku Technical Officer Food Safety Department World Health Organization 20, Avenue Appia CH-1211 GENEVA 27 SWITZERLAND Phone: +41 22 791 3556 Fax: +41 22 791 4807 Email: toyofukuh@who.int

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 30

Dr Patience Mensah Regional Adviser, Food Hygiene Division of health Environments and Sustainable Development WHO Regional Office for Africa BP 06 Cité du Djoué Brazzaville REPUBLIC OF CONGO Phone: +47 242 39065 Fax: +47 242 39512 Email: mensahp@afro.who.int

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

Ms Vivien Liu Counsellor Trade and Environment Division World Trade Organization 154 rue de Lausanne 1211 GENEVA 21 SWITZERLAND Phone: +41 22 739 54 55 Fax: +41 22 739 56 20 Email: vivien.liu@wto.org

Mr Michael Roberts Counsellor Trade and Environment Division World Trade Organization 154 Rue de Lausanne 1211 GENEVA 21 SWITZERLAND Phone: +41 22 739 5747 Fax: +41 22 739 56 20 Email: michael.roberts@wto.org

INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS

BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION (BIO)

Dr Janet Collins Global Regulatory Leader Biotechnology Industry Organization 600 13th Street NW Suite 600 WASHINGTON, DC USA 20005 Phone: +1 202 383 2861 Fax: +1 202 783 1924 Email: janet.e.collins@monsanto.com

CONSUMERS INTERNATIONAL

Ms Clare Hughes Food Policy Officer Australian Consumers’ Association Consumers International 57 Carrington Road MARRICKVILLE NSW 2204 Phone: +61 2 9577 3375 Fax: +61 2 9577 3377 Email: chughes@choice.com.au

GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL

Mr Bruno Heinzer Greenpeace International C/o Greenpeace PO BOX 8031 ZURICH SWITZERLAND Phone: +41 1 447 41 41 Fax: +41 1 447 41 99 Email: bheinzer@ch.greenpeace.org

INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION FORUM (IAF)

Mr John Owen Corporate Secretary International Accreditation Forum 53 Manuka Circle CHERRYBROOK NSW 2126 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 9481 7343 Fax: +61 2 9481 7343 Email: secretary@accreditationforum.com

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA)

Mr Gary Luckman Manager: New Technologies International Atomic Energy Agency Wagramer Strasse 5 PO Box 100 C/- Food and Environmental Protection Section Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture A-1400 VIENNA AUSTRIA Phone: +61 2 417 496 581 Fax: +61 2 6254 1912 Email: gluckman@asri.org.au

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 31

INTERNATIONAL DAIRY FEDERATION (IDF)

Ms Slava Zeman Observer International Dairy Federation Diamant Building Bld Auguste Reyers 80 BRUSSELS BELGIUM 1030 Phone: +61 2 6272 5027 Fax: +61 2 6271 6522 Email: slava.zeman@affa.gov.au

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF REFRIGERATION (IIR) Mr Keith Richardson Food Technology Liaison Officer International Institute of Refrigeration PO Box 52 NORTH RYDE NSW AUSTRALIA 2113 Phone: +61 2 9490 8361 Fax: +61 2 9490 8466 Email: keith.richardson@foodscience.afisc.csiro.au

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PURE & APPLIED CHEMISTRY (IUPAC)

Dr Sue-Sun Wong Research Specialist International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) TACTRI Residue Control Department 11 Kung-Ming Road Wufeng TAICHUNG HSIEN TAIWAN Phone: +886 4 233 006 12 Fax: +886 4 233 247 38 Email: sswong@tactri.gov.tw

49TH PARALLEL BIOTECHNOLOGY CONSORTIUM

Professor Philip L. Bereano Co-Director 49th Parallel Biotechnology Consortium 3807 S. McClellan Street SEATTLE WASHINGTON, DC USA 98144 Phone: +1 206 725 4211 Fax: +1 206 543 8858 Email: pbereano@u.washington.edu

CODEX SECRETARIAT

Ms Annamaria Bruno Food Standards Officer Food and Nutrition Division Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 ROME ITALY Phone: +39 06 5705 6254 Fax: +39 06 5705 4593 Email: annamaria.bruno@fao.org

Ms Gracia Brisco Food Standards Officer Food and Nutrition Division Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme Viale delle Terme de Caracalla 00100 ROME ITALY Phone: +39 06 5705 2700 Fax: +39 06 5705 6254 Email: gracia.brisco@fao.org

AUSTRALIAN SECRETARIAT

Ms Ann Backhouse Manager Codex Australia Product Safety and Integrity Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 5692 Fax: +61 2 6272 3103 Email: ann.backhouse@daff.gov.au

Ms Rose Hockham Assistant Manager Codex Australia Product Safety and Integrity Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 5060 Fax: +61 2 6272 3103 Email: rose.hockham@daff.gov.au

ALINORM 04/27/30 – Appendix I 32

CCFICS ADMINISTRATION

Ms Suzanne Blake Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 3657 Fax: +61 2 6272 4112 Email: suzanne.blake@daff.gov.au

Ms Anetta Menkarska Executive Officer Codex Australia Product Safety and Integrity Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry GPO Box 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 2 6272 5112 Fax: +61 2 6272 3103 Email: anetta.menkarska@daff.gov.au

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PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN FOOD SAFETY EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

(Proposed draft revision of the Codex Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Control Emergency Situations - CAC/GL 19-1995)

(advanced to Step 5/8)

PREAMBLE

1. When a food safety emergency arises, in order to minimize potential adverse public health effects, it is essential to communicate the nature and extent of the food safety problem to all relevant parties as expeditiously as possible. This must be done in a manner that avoids unwarranted action against other foods from the same or other countries, which are not involved in the emergency situation. The global nature of food trade requires that this communication occur between nations at the appropriate government level.

2. This document provides guidance for use by national governments and regional economic integration organisations for the exchange of information in food safety emergency situations.

SCOPE

3. These Principles and Guidelines apply to situations where the competent authorities in either the importing and/or exporting countries become aware of a food safety emergency situation, and communication of the information and risks surrounding the emergency situation must be undertaken.

4. The Principles and Guidelines apply to situations where the food safety hazard (e.g., a microbiological, chemical, radiological or physical agent) has been specifically identified. It may also apply to situations where the food safety hazard has not been identified, but relevant scientific information suggests a link between consumption of a food and the appearance of serious health effects.

5. The Principles and Guidelines apply to food safety emergencies associated with imported or exported food or food that may potentially be imported or exported. The Principles and Guidelines may also apply to such emergencies where feeding stuffs for food producing animals are implicated.1

6. The Principles and Guidelines do not apply to routine food rejections where importing country standards have not been met. These situations are covered in the Guidelines for the Exchange of Information between Countries on Rejections of Imported Food (CAC/GL 25-1997).

DEFINITION

7. Food Safety Emergency: A situation whether accidental or intentional, that is identified, by a competent authority as constituting a serious and as yet uncontrolled foodborne risk to public health that requires urgent action.

PRINCIPLES

8. In the event that a food safety emergency is identified, the following principles apply to the exchange of information:

a) Its nature and extent should, where possible, be clearly and completely described by the relevant competent authorities.

b) The exchange of information on food safety emergencies should be between official contact points designated by the competent authorities.

c) A country detecting a food safety emergency situation, whether it is an importing or an exporting country, should inform all known affected and potentially affected countries without delay.

1 Provisions for emergency situations affecting animal feed are included in the Draft Code of Practice for Good

Animal Feeding: Section 4.3.1 “Special conditions applicable to emergency situations”

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d) All relevant information should be shared by competent authorities detecting a food safety emergency to enable all affected and potentially affected countries to make informed risk management and/or risk communication decisions.

e) Competent authorities should also provide clear, relevant, factual and timely information to relevant stakeholders to the extent possible.

f) Information flow should be transparent and continue during all phases of the food emergency situation to enable continuous evaluation and development of the emergency response.

NATURE OF THE FOOD SAFETY EMERGENCY

9. The nature of the food safety emergency including its scientific basis as it becomes available should be described in a clear, concise and accurate manner. Even in circumstances where the specific food safety hazard has not been precisely identified any clear and substantial association between the consumption of a food and the appearance of serious adverse public health effects should be provided by the competent authority in accordance with the principles outlined in paragraph 8.

10. In cases where the food safety hazard is associated with a specific food or foods, these foods should be identified in as much detail as is available to facilitate the identification and location of the affected foods. In other cases, where a food safety hazard affects many different categories of foods and potentially involves a large geographical area, all affected foods should be identified.

DESIGNATED OFFICIAL CONTACT POINTS FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE

11. Each country should designate a primary official contact point for food safety emergency situations, which can act as the national focal point for information exchange in such situations. A list of the primary official contact points for the exchange of information in food safety emergency situations as mentioned in point 8.b is available and an update is distributed to governments on a periodic basis. It is the responsibility of all countries to ensure that they regularly provide updated information on their country primary official contact points to the World Health Organization (WHO) so that the list of contacts can be kept up-to-date. Although the primary official contact point is the first contact, it is understood that in a given food safety emergency national governments may wish to designate a specific contact point for that emergency.

12. The designated contact points for the competent authorities responsible for coordinating the response to the food safety emergency should be clearly identified. Necessary information includes the name of the competent authority and the contact details including name, address, phone numbers, facsimile numbers, and email addresses of the persons or offices that are responsible for managing the emergency situation and who can provide further details about the hazard, the foods concerned, actions taken and other relevant information. A website address should also be provided if this is used to provide up-to-date information.

INFORMING ALL KNOWN AFFECTED AND POTENTIALLY AFFECTED COUNTRIES

13. Given the global nature of food trade, the impact of a food safety emergency may be widespread. The competent authority of the country where the food safety emergency is identified should, to the best of its ability and in cooperation with other competent authorities, determine all potential recipient countries of the implicated food(s) and all countries from which the potentially contaminated food or its ingredients was imported. All relevant information in relation to the food safety emergency should be provided to the competent authorities of the countries thus identified.

14. Communication should be made by the most expedient means, as early as possible, and with verification of receipt by key parties. Communications by telephone, email, facsimile and if necessary regular mail should all be considered to achieve early communication and to ensure that the message is received by the competent authorities as quickly as possible.

15. It is recognised that the initial information provided may often be incomplete and it is therefore the responsibility of the country identifying the food emergency to ensure that the initial communication is supplemented by further notification(s), as and when more detailed information becomes available.

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16. It is recognized that the nature and the extent of the information disclosure to each competent authority will be as determined to be permissible by the disclosing competent authority according to its national law.

INFORMATION TO BE EXCHANGED

17. Competent authorities should exchange with all known affected and potentially affected countries the following information, as relevant upon identification of a food safety emergency.

a. The nature of the food safety emergency including the hazards and risks identified, the methodology used and assumptions made;

b. Detailed identification of the food or foods concerned including product markings, certificate information;

c. Affected and potentially affected populations group(s);

d. Shipping and related information, e.g. the name and contact information for the exporter, importer, consignee and shippers;

e. Action taken to reduce or eliminate the hazard;

f. Full details of the designated official contact point and the relevant competent authority.

18. The communication regarding the nature and extent of a food safety emergency should include relevant scientific substantiation and assessment of risk as they become available, including how international standards have been taken into account.

19. A standard format for the relevant information to be exchanged is recommended for use by both the importing and exporting countries. A model standard format for information exchange in food safety emergency situations is provided in the Annex. Where alternative formats are used, care should be taken to ensure that all the relevant information is included and is clearly presented.

ROLE OF COMPETENT AUTHORITY

20. Upon identification of a food safety emergency, the competent authority identifying the emergency should promptly communicate with and consult the appropriate competent authority/ies of other affected or potentially affected country/ies. The competent authorities responsible for coordinating the response should update countries receiving the affected food of action taken, as appropriate. The accuracy and veracity of the scientific and other information regarding a food safety emergency should be verified to assist in taking risk assessment, risk management and risk communication decisions. Any misinformation should be promptly corrected by competent authorities.

21. It is also essential that all other relevant parties be kept informed, as appropriate, of the nature and status of the food safety emergency. Competent authorities should therefore provide clear, relevant, factual and timely information to their industry, consumers, other stakeholders and the media on the status of the food safety emergency.

INFORMATION FLOW

22. Communications between exporting and importing countries should be transparent and continue through all phases of the emergency situation, from initial notification of the food safety problem including details of any relevant risk assessments that have been used through to notification of the resolution of the problem. This will enable countries to re-assess their risk assessment, risk management and risk communication strategies as the situation changes.

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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Level of food distribution

23. In deciding on the appropriate communication measures to apply, the competent authorities should consider the quantity of food that is involved, the extent of its distribution and the level (e.g. wholesale, retail) at which it has been distributed. In some cases, the affected food may not yet have entered the importing country and communication will focus on the importers. However, in other cases the food will have entered and been distributed within the country or transhipped to other countries. The competent authority should take account of whether the food has been, or is likely to have been, distributed at the wholesale, retail or consumer level, and implement risk management and communication measures accordingly, including a notice of recall at one or more of these levels of food distribution.

Re-export of food subject to an emergency situation.

24. Food that is refused entry into a country, or in some cases food that is recalled after entry, should be dealt with in accordance with Guidelines for the Exchange of Information between Countries on Rejection of Imported Food (CAC/GL 25-1997) and taking into account the Code of Ethics for International Trade in Foods (CAC/RCP 20-1979, Rev. 1-1985)2 .

Food Safety Emergency Plan

25. Importing and exporting countries should develop a food safety emergency plan that would indicate the procedures to be followed in the case of a food safety emergency3. The plan should contain specific provision relating to the exchange of information including keeping their public informed, as appropriate, of food safety emergency.

Role of FAO and WHO

26. Although the information exchange components of these guidelines are primarily intended for use between the competent authorities of the importing and exporting countries, copies or summaries of relevant information regarding the emergency should be provided to FAO, WHO or other international organizations on request. In these situations, the FAO and WHO may be able to offer technical advice and assistance to one or more of the affected countries or countries yet to be affected.

2 A revision of the Code was under development in the Codex Committee on General Principles at the time this

text was developed. 3 e.g. Guidelines for Strengthening National Food Control Systems (FAO/WHO); “Terrorist Threat to Food”

(WHO).

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Annex

STANDARD FORMAT FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN FOOD SAFETY EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

The following constitutes the information that should be exchanged between competent authorities of both exporting and importing countries involved in a food safety emergency. A food safety emergency is a situation whether accidental or intentional, that is identified by a competent authority, as constituting a serious and as yet uncontrolled foodborne risk to public health that requires urgent action.

1. Nature of the food safety emergency

The nature of the food safety hazard causing the food safety emergency should be described, and may include the following:

- biological/microbiological contamination (specify organism or toxin of concern);

- chemical contamination (e.g. pesticides, drugs, industrial chemicals, environmental contaminants);

- physical contamination (e.g. foreign bodies);

- radionuclide contamination (specify radionuclide(s) of concern);

- undeclared allergen (the allergen should be explicitly named);

- other identified hazards (e.g. inherent chemicals in foods or produced through processing, processing/packaging faults);

- unknown agent (specify serious adverse health effects associated with consumption of specified foods).

In each of the above cases the specific food safety hazard and its level or prevalence based on available information and, as appropriate, the sampling and methods of analysis used, and any assumptions made should be notified.

2. Identification of foods concerned

The foods concerned should be described completely. The following information should be provided if available, as appropriate to the product:

- description and quantity of product(s) including brand, the name(s) of the product listed on the label, grade, preservation method (e.g. chilled or frozen) and shelf life;

- type and size of package(s);

- lot identification, including lot code, dates of production and processing, and identification of premises where last packed or processed;

- other identification marks/stamps (e.g. bar codes, UPC codes);

- name and address of producer, manufacturer, packer, seller, exporter or importer as appropriate;

- pictorial image;

- export certificate(s) reference number(s), official name and mark.

An indication of the countries to which the product has been exported should also be provided, as soon as it is known, to enable countries to quickly identify whether they are likely to be affected, and to help locate the affected foods.

3. Affected or potentially affected population group(s)

Food safety emergency situations may predominantly affect certain segments of a population, e.g. children, pregnant women, immune compromised persons or the elderly. In such instances, this information should be communicated.

The nature and extent of any adverse health effects associated with a food safety emergency should be described, e.g. incubation period, severity, other epidemiological data.

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4. Shipping and Related Information

Information on the following should be provided:

- Exporter name and contact information;

- Importer name and contact information;

- Container and shipping details, including port of origin and destination;

- Consignee(s) and shipper(s) and contact information.

5. Action taken by exporting or importing country

Information on action taken, such as:

- measures taken to identify and prevent the sale and export of the food;

- measures taken to recall food from markets including whether these recalls are voluntary or mandatory;

- measures taken to prevent further problems;

- measures taken to reduce the risk by appropriate physical treatment;

- methods of diagnosis and treatment of affected persons;

- measures taken regarding final disposition (e.g. destruction of the food).

6. Details of the designated official contact point and of the relevant competent authority

Full contact details including: the name of the competent authority, address, telephone, email address and facsimile numbers of persons or offices that can supply further information that may be sought by affected or potentially affected countries to assist in the management of the food safety emergency. A website address should be used where available to provide up-to-date information.